Tiilimurske

Tiilimurske is a Finnish term used in construction and demolition to describe brick rubble, i.e., crushed bricks and mortar resulting from the demolition or renovation of brick structures. The material is a subset of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and is characterized by fragments of fired bricks bound with cementitious mortar. Its composition can vary: predominantly brick fragments with mortar residues, and sometimes small amounts of ceramic tiles, plaster, or concrete. Particle sizes range from coarse chunks to fine dust, and moisture content can vary.

Processing and reuse: Tiilimurske is typically sorted at recycling facilities and may be crushed and screened to produce a usable aggregate. When processed to a suitable specification, it can be used as a recycled aggregate in road base and sub-base layers, backfill, drainage layers, or track beds. It can also serve as a raw material in cement manufacture if the mortar is appropriately managed. Calibrating the brick type and mortar content affects the strength and stability of end products. In landscaping or construction, it may be used as fill material, decorative rubble, or a base for other constructions.

Environmental and regulatory aspects: As a construction and demolition waste stream, tiilimurske is subject to national and EU CDW regulations. Recycling reduces the extraction of natural aggregates and minimizes landfill, but the material must meet quality standards to avoid contamination of soils or groundwater. Older buildings may include asbestos-containing materials or other hazardous coatings in the debris, necessitating proper assessment and handling.

In Finland, tiilimurske recycling is integrated into municipal CDW programs, with facilities equipped for sorting, crushing, and reuse.